San Diego Bay Wine and Food Festival Kicks Off

• SWISH: Serious Sips & Urban Eats (Nov. 20):
Presented by Simply Naked Wines, Svedka Vodka and Dining Out, SWISH goes down at the San Diego Public Market on Wednesday, Nov. 20 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets range from $45-$65. The event will be hosted by a mystery winner from “Top Chef All-Stars” and celebrity chef Sharone Hackman.

• Rock Your Roll: Sushi Making with the Masters (Nov. 21):
Have you ever wanted to make your own gourmet sushi at home? Well, this cooking class aims to teach foodies the skills to do just that. The class, set for Thursday, Nov. 21, is from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Marriott Marquis & Marina, and costs $45 per person.

• Wine Spectator: Celebrity Chef Dinner & Big Bottle Live Auction (Nov. 21):
This VIP, black-tie formal event invites serious wine lovers to the Marriott Marquis & Marina on Nov. 21, from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., for a night of fine food and even finer wine. Tickets cost $250 per person, or go all out by going in with friends on a big VIP table for 10 guests for $3,000.

• Grand Tasting Event (Nov. 23):
If you’re attending only one San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival event this year, make this one it. The Grand Tasting will take over Embarcadero Marina Park North, right behind Seaport Village, on Saturday, Nov. 23 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event marks the grand finale of the week-long fest and boasts 170 wine and spirit purveyors pouring more than 700 different wines. More than 70 of San Diego’s most talented chefs will also take the spotlight at the Grand Tasting, cooking up samples of delicious dishes for attendees to nosh their way through. This party also features a “Chef of the Fest” contest, celebrity chefs hosting cookbook signings and live musical entertainment. Tickets range from $75-$225, as seen here.

Foodies who want to attend more than one of the events may want to check out these special packages, which include tickets to multiple activities and other goodies.

For more information on the 2013 San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival, visit the event website or call (619) 342-7337.